Chapter 1

The glaring sun from the open window threatened to blind Rica’s eyes as she got up from the spread out mat on the floor. She yawned loudly as her eyes trailed around the room until it landed on the stretched out figure beside her on the mat; sleeping soundly and happily.

Rica studied the peaceful sleeping face of her sister and her heart glowed with joy. She was so happy to wake up like this and find Risa beside her. Today was Risa’s birthday and Rica wanted to make it the most memorable day in their life. She was turning fifteen and Rica felt proud to see the little girl she raised grow up into a fine young lady before her eyes. She could give the whole world to her sister if only she could.

It has been both of them against the world. Ever since their mum brought him home, life has been unbearable especially for Rica but she endured all his immoral advances and their mother’s constant abuse just so she could stay and take care of Risa. If only she was already eighteen she would have taken Risa away from this cursed house.

Sighing loudly she turned towards Risa and tap her on the shoulder “Risa it’s time for school, get up already” she said.

Being able to send Risa to school was the best thing that has ever happened to Rica. Especially now that he hadn’t been around for several weeks and even their mother was out of the country for business.

Their mum was a business woman but they lived like paupers because she refused to provide for them. The only benefit they got from her was having a roof over their head and that is why, Rica struggled hard on her own; having a job at twelve was not very easy but for Risa she could do anything. Anything to give her sister the life she deserves

She looked towards the growing up teenager who ignored her words and instead snuggle deeper into the blankets and Rica rolled her eyes before yanking the covers off her.

“Get up Ris, you’re going to be late” she warned earning a groan from the younger lady.

Risa got up sluggishly “you can’t let me get a little more sleep even on my birthday” she complained jokingly as she got up from the mat.

“Letting you sleep would mean making you late and as for your birthday, there’s going to be a surprise for you”

Her eyes lit up immediately but it vanishes in a second as her face took on a concern expression “Ri, I don’t want you spending too much money for my birthday. We lack money, you know that and my birthday isn’t that important, I don’t need a surprise”

Rica sighed as she walked towards Risa and hugged her “listen Ris, you are the most important person in my life and your birthday is the most important day to me too. I don’t want you to say your birthday isn’t important because it is to me. I don’t care if I have to spend my very last penny just to make this day special for my beautiful baby sister” she pinched her cheeks lightly and Risa giggled “so there is going to be a surprise and that is final”

Tears were already running down Risa’s eyes as she hugged Rica tightly “I love you so much sis” she told her with so much love and emotion that cause a smile to appear on Rica’s lips “I promise you that after my studies, I’m going to work hard and repay all the kindness you’ve shown me. You took care of me even though we were just half sisters”

Rica hushes her, wiping the tears of her eyes with her thumb “you don’t have to repay me Risa. I’m doing all this because I love you and you are my sister. Forget about the half”

Risa smiled again “I don’t know what I would have done without you big sis. You’re more than a mum and dad to me” she hugged her once again and Rica hugged her back.

They had learn to depend on one another and had never asked their mum about their fathers although their mum always rain insults on Rica’s father saying he’s a useless man and that is why he abandoned her. It hurt Rica a lot whenever her mum says that but she had learnt to accept it that way and taking care of her sister was a good distraction from all her mum’s ugly words.

And as she watched Risa walked into the bathroom to get ready for school, she muttered “what will I do without you too little sis” she turned and walked out of the small room to go get breakfast ready.

\*\*

The moment the clock struck 4am, Rica began preparing the surprise for Risa because she knew she would be arriving soon. The cake was already baked and the surprise lay beside it on the table, neatly and elegantly rapped in a gift bag.

She stood on a low ladder putting finishing touches on the ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’ sign when the door busts open.

Thinking that it was Risa, Rica groaned “I was supposed to say happy…” she stopped mid sentence as she looked towards the door expecting to see Risa.

But her heart stopped, the smile on her face faded and she suddenly became pale. She would have lost her balance if she wasn’t holding tightly to the ladder.

Why is he back?

He was supposed to be gone for good.

He looked around the room at the decoration in a weak gaze until his eyes landed on her once again and he smiled that sickening smile that Rica hates so much.

“Hello princess” he greeted her in his usual way “I can see you are in the middle of organizing a party for your little bratty sister” he walked deeper into the room and for some reason, Rica found his steps unsteady.

“Y… you are back” she stuttered in fear as she climbed down the ladder making sure to keep a safe distance away from him. She wondered why he came back today of all days.

“Yes princess I’m back” he smiled again “back to finish what I started the last time”

Fear griped her as she hugged herself as if trying to protect her body. She took an unconscious step back as she remembered what he almost did to her three weeks ago. The memory of the traumatic incident was something she choose to forget.

“I…I won’t let…let you do this to me” she said as tears were already flowing down her eyes. He only stopped at that time because he knew her mum would be back from the office that evening and now there was no one around except the two of them. She was totally helpless.

He smirk and began taking slow steps towards her “you won’t?” He was getting closer to her and she couldn’t move back because the ladder prevented it “if I recall correctly, I didn’t ask your permission the last time”

His gaze held complete lust and desire as he stared at her body. She was just seventeen and she wouldn’t let him take away her dignity.

Running away would be useless because his whole body blocked her path. He was that close. Seeing that there was no way out, she did the only thing she was sure would save her now “please Aaron” she cried “please don’t do this to me. Please I’ll do…”

Her statement was caught off as his lips crash unto hers. Rica could taste the alcohol in his breath and she struggled and tried to push him off but he was bigger and stronger than her so her effort was completely useless.

His lips moved to her neck and she desperately try to push him off “let me go” she yelled but his grip on her waist only seem to tighten “let me go please!” she yelled again, already looking so weak.

“Stop being stubborn princess, it only turns me on the more” he said in a husky voice.

“Get off me. Let me go, please let me go” she cried and begged but instead he lifted her up and walked up the low steps to her mother’s room.

Her heart began pounding fast, knowing that once they get into that room, it would all be over, her dignity would be lost and at the thought of that, a new found energy took over and she struggled harder. Pounding on his back and screaming.

He finally got to the room, opened the door and locked it adding further fear to her heart. He dumped her on the bed and quickly got on top of her pinning her hands above her head to prevent her from struggling.

“Please” she begged, hot tears pouring from her eyes “please have mercy on me”

He stopped for a while and looked at her hungrily “fuck, you’re really beautiful” he exclaimed as he pulled back the strands of hair covering her face in a gentle touch “don’t worry princess, I’m going to **** you so hard that you’ll be begging for something else”

He once again kissed her roughly biting and nibbling on her button lips that she had them opening for him. He slips his tong into her mouth and Rica almost felt like puking. Once again his lips transfer to her neck and she gasp for desperate air before resuming her pleading but his ears were deaf to that as he tore off her clothes and kiss every inch of her skin leaving bite marks in many different places.

Soon he took off his own clothes and without warning, he ****** into her. Rica screamed, for all she felt was extreme pain. He didn’t bother to slow down even though he knew she was a ****** and he drove into her with so much speed that she felt her inside being torn apart.

Her lips lost its pleading as she screamed from the unbearable pain being inflicted on her.

In between ****** she could hear Risa pounding the door and yelling out her name. The tears flowed freely as he went on thrusting like a savage animal.

It happened after all.

She lost her dignity.

\*\*

Minutes later after the bastard had satisfied himself; he got up and put on his clothes while she lay sobbing on the bed with her face turned to the other side.

“Princess” he called softly

“Can you just leave me alone” she cried in a low voice that was barely audible “you’ve got your way. You’ve taken what you wanted so please leave me alone”

She didn’t turn to look at him but she felt it when the bed deepened. He turned her slowly to him and she was a little shocked to see regret in his eyes or was she imagining things “I’m really sorry that I lost control like that”

She turned away once again. She didn’t know why he was apologizing but she didn’t care “the deed is done so I don’t see why you care now”

“I care okay” he argued “listen Rica I love you” he told her seriously. He only calls her by her name when her mum is around or when he is being extremely serious so the revelation really shocked her. He was 11 years older than her.

She wanted to yell at him and hit him ‘how dare he say those stupid words to her? He is her mum’s boyfriend and he is a bastard who just took her virginity now he says such absurd words to her.

Before she could respond the door flew open and that caused Aaron to shot up in shock. Risa stood there in anger holding a screwdriver. She probably broke the lock.

She took in the scene before her. Rica on the bed ***** and in tears and tattered clothes scattered all over the floor and the next thing, she flew towards Aaron screaming and hitting him.

“How dare you” she kept on yelling and pounding him with her fist.

Rica wanted so much to stop her but the pain in her legs stopped her from doing so “stop it Ris” she scolded softly but Ris refused to listen as she kept on pounding the bigger man until Aaron lost control and pushed her hard towards the nearby wall.

Risa’s head collided hard with the wall and for a moment, all was silent. Then suddenly Risa fell to the floor unconscious and there was a huge stain of blood on the wall where her head collided.

Rica’s eyes widen and she forgot all about the pain between her legs as she rushed to her sister not caring if she was ***** “Ris” she called in fear and panic “Ris please wake up, Ris” she cried but Risa wasn’t responding at all. She suddenly turned to Aaron who stood like a stature and she yelled “don’t just stand there, call the ambulance”

He snap out of his shock state and rushed to go get his phone “hang in there little sister. Remember I still have to give you your surprise and sing a happy birthday song for you, so you better hang in there”

They were both outside the waiting room, waiting for the doctor to come give them some feedbacks. Aaron paced around the room, while Rica sat down on one of the chairs staring into space and hoping to god that Risa would be okay.

Once or twice Aaron glances at her as if wanting to say something but he stops himself and went on pacing.

Few seconds later, Manuela rushed into the hospital waiting room “Aaron” she called out in worry.

“Ella” he exclaimed as if it was a big relief to see her. Rica wanted to scoff at that. Only a few moments ago he had sex with her so brutally and confessed his undying love to her and now here he was being all lovey dovey to her mum. She pushed the thought out of her mind; for now she wanted to concentrate on worrying about her sister.

““I rushed here the moment I received your call; what happened to her?” Manuela asked with heavy concern lace in her voice. Rica was quite taken aback by that; she had always seen her mother as the cold emotionless lady and she never thought Manuela was capable of being concern for them. She only smiles when she is with Aaron.

“It was an accident Manuela, she hit her head on the wall” he didn’t mention pushing her.

“Oh God!” she exclaimed holding her head in her hands as if having a headache.

Her eyes suddenly shifted to Rica. Her gaze changed to that of a predator about to attack its prey “you” she began as she strolled towards Rica and slapped her hard across the cheek. There were gasp from a few people in the room. Rica held her cheek sobbing.

“Manuela” Aaron exclaimed in shock at the unexpected action. He made sure to keep his voice low so she won’t notice the anger in it.

“Where were you when this bull shit happened?”

Rica could only sob. She couldn’t very much say she was on the bed trying to get up after being raped by Manuel’s boyfriend

“I should have known that leaving you alone with my daughter was not a good idea, you’re so careless and stupid you worthless piece of shit”

“Calm down Manuel and top causing a scene” Aaron intervenes as he grabbed her hands to calm her down.

“You better pray that nothing happens to my daughter or I’m sending you to hell as well”

Rica sobbed harder. She knew that if something happened to Risa, it would all be her fault; if she had told Manuel about Aaron from the beginning, maybe this wouldn’t have happened but would Manuel have believed her?

Rica could recall that ever since she was young, Manuela had never treated her like a daughter. Rica could remember when her mother had told her that she was just as evil as her father and it made Rica wonder what her father was like for her mother to hate her so much because of him.

But things were different with Risa. Manuela loves Risa a lot but she choose not to take care of her because Risa choose to love her elder sister and despise her mother because of how she treated Rica and Manuela neglected her because of that although she never raised her voice and hands on Risa like she does to Rica. But this didn’t stop the sisters from loving each other and taking care of one another.

They waited for what seems like forever before the doctor finally decided to talk to them “how is she doctor?” Manuel asked the moment she saw the doctor coming out of the emergency ward.

He sighed deeply and that gave Rica a fright “please doctor tell us what happened to our daughter” Aaron demanded as he watched the doctor shifting uncomfortable on his feet

Rica ignored Aaron’s words as she waited anxiously for the doctor’s answer “I’m sorry Mr. Rhys” those first two words tore Rica apart completely “but we tried all we could, maybe if she had arrived here a little earlier we could have…”

“No” Manuela exclaimed as she stumbled backwards in shock but Aaron held her arms steadying her “my… my little girl can’t be gone. I barely spent time with her. Doctor please tell me it isn’t true. Tell me that’s she’s okay” the once strong woman was suddenly breaking.

Rica had no time to be overwhelmed by her mum’s reaction to Risa’s death. She had a hard time taking in what the doctor just said; it can’t possibly true; her sister couldn’t possibly be dead.

As the doctor explained the cause of the girl’s death, Rica could feel an ice cold feeling creeping into the deepest part of her heart. It tug into her heart and caused her body to freeze. Suddenly she couldn’t move, she couldn’t even cry. She was barely listening to her surrounding and was unconscious to the slap Manuel suddenly threw at her.

“You evil bitch, you killed my daughter, you killed my daughter you stupid little whore” Manuela kept on yelling and trying to reach out to Rica but Aaron’s hands around her stopped her.

Little drop of tears finally made their way out of Rica’s eyes as the truth suddenly drowned on her. Risa was gone. Risa was gone forever and it’s all her fault. She promised she would protect Risa at all cost; yet how could she break her promise to her; how could she be so careless? It was supposed to be her birthday.

The suddenly realization made her weep uncontrollable as she realized how much of a failure she had been to Risa; to her baby sister.

She sobbed and sobbed ignoring Manuel’s yells and attempt for a fight and she didn’t realize when shock and exhaustion took over and she collapse into the abyss of thick darkness.

Chapter 3

Rica watched the dark brown door with the cake tightly held in her palms. She was trying desperately to make sure that the cake was completely perfect for Risa’s birthday. She was prepared to start singing the happy birthday song the moment Risa walked in.

It didn’t take long before Risa came in smiling warmly at her and Rica quickly began singing “happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear sister, happy birthday to you

“Common blow the candle; make a wish” she coaxed reaching the cake to her.

Risa smiled and said “I wish for you to move on without me” she said aloud with a sad smile as she blew the candle. The smile on Rica’s face instantly vanished.

She placed the cake back on the table and looked at Risa seriously “what do you mean move on without you. Where are you going?”

“I’m leaving big sis. I guess it’s my time to leave”

“No” Rica protested and grab hold of her hand “you are not going anywhere; I won’t let you leave; we promised to always stay by each other side”

Risa stared at the tears in her elder sister’s eyes in sadness “it hurts to leave too sis but this time, I have no choice. Take care okay, and move on”

She suddenly pulled Rica’s hand from hers “please don’t go, please don’t leave me” she cried and pleaded trying to go after her but for some reason something held her back.

“don’t go Risa please don’t leave me” she yelled but Risa was already out the door, diving into the almost blinding light outside and soon Rica could see her getting blurry until she eventually fade out of sight.

Slowly, Rica’s eyes pile open slowly and the first thing that came into sight was the white wall above her. She gaze around the room and noticed that everything was white and that was when everything that happened came back to her. She had fainted at the waiting room and was probably brought here.

“Princess you’re awake” a relieved voice washed over the room.

She looked to her left and her eyes came in contact with pale blue eyes that were filled with worry but at the sight of him, the cold icy feeling began creeping back into her heart and a dangerous thought took over her mind as she stared at the pen resting on the table beside her.

She cleared her mind from the thought as she turn her face away from him “get out” she said in a cold deadly voice which took Aaron aback he had never heard her speak so coldly. She had always been the nice girl even to those who ill treat her, the ice in her heart getting thicker and thicker.

“Princess…” he pleaded but she cut him off.

“I said get out” she didn’t yell or scream at him; but the coldness in her voice seem to get thicker causing Aaron to flinch a little.

Without saying anymore words Aaron stood up slowly and placed a kiss on her cheek but she didn’t react and he said no more words before walking out of the room.

Rica’s stare didn’t weaver as she continued to stare straight ahead of her. Her mind shifted to the dream she had before she work up; that just seem to give her more clues and realization that Risa was really gone; Risa had really left her for good.

The tears flowed slowly but Rica didn’t blink or sob. She just allowed the tears to flow freely. The ice cold feeling in her heart tug at it almost busting it out of her system and Rica held unto it in pain and hurt.

Her eyes gazed at the pure white wall and the tears blinded her vision as she thought ‘I’m sorry Risa but I can’t move on without you’

\*\*

Three days after the death and burial Risa, Manuel became worse and extremely harsh to Rica. She abused her at any little mistake the young woman mad but Rica never shed a tear. She took it all in; after all she deserves it for causing the death of her sister. She was suddenly living like a lifeless corpse; never smiling or crying. She felt nothing at all and her emotions remained blank and unreadable.

Of course Aaron was still around taking care of her and trying to make up for all the pain he had caused her but it didn’t seem to do her any good because she remained as she was, Emotionless and lifeless.

Once she decided to end it all, she didn’t want to live anymore because she was already dead inside. She had no soul anymore and she was just a walking corpse on earth without her sister.

Slowly she took the knife on the floor beside the mat and placed it on her wrist. One slit on the smooth silky skin and the dark red liquid poured out in bucks. She didn’t even feel any pain as she lay down waiting for her fate but it seems like death didn’t agree with her because the last thing she remembered was being lifted into strong arms and rushed out of the house before finally losing consciousness.

\*\*

Rica peeled her eyes open and the pure white ceiling came into sight. She would have groaned in desperation seeing that she was still alive but she was so weak that she could barely even move.

“Princess” a pained voice said beside her just like a month ago where she fainted and was brought to one of the hospital rooms.

She ignored his pained tone and turns her face away from him staring straight at the white wall before her. She didn’t like seeing his face because of the memories that comes with it.

Aaron sighed shakily as he looked down at his feet “why…” his voice chocked “why did you try to kill yourself princess?” his voice was filled with so much hurt but Rica didn’t care; it felt almost as if she lost her heart and soul already.

“I know Marisa’s death caused you a great deal of pain and it’s all my fault. That’s why I’m trying so hard to fix this and make you happy. I want you to forget all about this, to forget all about her” he explained desperately but Rica neither responded nor did he make any attempt to.

“Please answer me princess. I hate seeing you like this” he begged pulling her chin softly to look at him “please just tell me what I can do to bring back the beautiful happy girl I fell in love and not this cold lady you are displaying”

“Do you really want to see me happy?” Rica said the first words she had ever said to him in months after she drove him out the other time.

He smiled a sweet smile of relief as happy tears found its way out of his eyes. He missed her voice so much; her beautiful angelic voice that always made him happy and alive.

He nodded eagerly at her in answer “yes princess. Yes I’ll do anything even if you want me to be a slave to you paying for my mistake I will” he said with all seriousness but Rica wasn’t moved at all; she remains emotionless.

“Bring Back Risa” she said and his face fell knowing fully well that it was impossible

Seeing the expected look of absolute shock on his face, she smirk “see, you can’t” she once again turn her face away from him.

Aaron’s head was lowered as he tried so much to hide his tear stained cheeks and Rica looked at him quite surprised but it never showed on her face. She wondered if he was really telling her the truth; did he really love her that much. but he hurt her that day he took her by force and now here he was crying and begging her to go back being the old Rica who was always happy and ready to forgive those who hurt her.

But that Rica is gone.

She lost part of her when he raped her and the other part of her already left with her sister. So there was nothing even herself could do to bring back the old her and she wouldn’t even if she could because she loved not being able to feel any pain or hurt.

She looked at Aaron who was still sobbing and she thought ‘if he really loves her then she would make his love for her be his down fall. She was going to make his life and Manuel’s life difficult but she needed a plan and for that she needed him far away. She didn’t want to see his face for now unless when she was strong enough to take revenge.

“Go away Aaron” she told him and he lifted his head to look at her. She also gaze at him and saw that his cheeks are stained with tears but she kept on staring at him with cold eyes “if you really want to see me happy and alive, then get out of my life”

He shook his head and took a hold of her hand but she didn’t react “please Rica, don’t punish me this much. Don’t keep me away from you”

“That’s what I want Aaron and if you can’t give me that, then I’ll just kill myself…”

“No” he squeezed her hand “I won’t let you waste your life because of me” he lowered his head and bit his lips hard and he didn’t say anything for a long time. After awhile, he said “fine” he agreed “I’ll go away from your life if that’s what you want but I promise you that I’ll be back to take you away with me. I hope you will have forgiven me by then”

Slowly he let go of her hand and stood up kissing her on the head “I love you” he said before walking out and at that moment, Rica realized that he was really true to his words and she smirk.

The moment he comes back, she was going to use his love for her to destroy him and Manuel and that was a promise